Heritage Railway operating since 1878

In 1878, construction commenced on the Port Augusta and Government Gums (now known as Farina, which is north of the Flinders Ranges) Railway. The line was extended to Oodnadatta in 1891 and further to Alice Springs (771 miles or 1241 km) in 1929, establishing an important rail link to Central Australia. The famous Ghan passenger train travelled this way from 1923 to 1956, and on the northern part of this route until 1980.

You can enjoy a full-day or half-day trip aboard a restored steam or heritage diesel train on the original Ghan route between Port Augusta and Quorn on the Pichi Richi Railway.

Watch gum-lined creeks, bluebush-studded hills and ancient rocky outcrops roll past at the relaxed pace of years gone by. All trains use historic steam or diesel locomotives or railcars or immaculately restored timber carriages some more than 130 years old.

Since 1973, volunteers of the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society continue to proudly restore and run the railway.

We operate on selected dates from March to November each year. Check our timetable, then book online or phone 1800 PR RAIL (1800 77 7245). 

830 Class locomotive appeal

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Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society (PRRPS) is delighted to advise that it has now signed deeds to acquire former South Australian Railways (SAR) locomotives 843 and 846 from One Rail Australia. These two locomotives will be used by PRRPS to make one operational unit, the body of 843 onto 846’s narrow gauge traction bogies. 846 and the broad-gauge bogies will provide a source of spares (including traction motors interchangeable with NT76’s).

Locomotives 843 and 846 have been very generously donated to PRRPS by One Rail, however the logistics of moving them, 843 from Dry Creek South to Quorn, and 846 from Port Lincoln to Quorn will be the responsibility of PRRPS. We are fortunate that Max Cranes at Port Augusta has generously offered to assist with its expertise in cranage and over-dimensional transport at substantially reduced rates as a commercial sponsorship of this project.

COVID-19 update: 2021

Pichi Richi Railway continues to monitor and follow guidelines issued by the SA Dept of Health. At the present time. all scheduled services in 2021 are expected to operate.

Please note that most of our 2020 train services were booked out due to strong demand and reduced capacity. We expect this may continue. To avoid disappointment, we recommend that you book early for 2021 services.  For tickets and availability please refer to our Bookings page.